Eye makeup application device

ABSTRACT

An eye makeup application device that includes a handle and ends that are shaped to conform to the human upper and lower eyelids. The eye makeup application device is adapted to enable a farsighted user to insert the ends behind eyeglasses, obtain a desired position, and then apply the eye makeup accurately once the eyeglasses are removed. In the preferred form of the device, removable flexible pads are attached to the end and are able to more precisely conform to the shape of a specific individuals eyelid. Additionally, the ability to remove the flexible pads allows for periodic cleaning or replacement.

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional Pat. Application Ser. No. 60/480,791, filed Jun. 23, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND AND TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed towards a device to assist in the application of eye makeup. Although the device may be used to assist application of all types of eye makeup, such as mascara or eye shadow, it is particularly adapted for use with eyeliner. Additionally, it is particularly adapted for use by individuals that are farsighted and must wear eyeglasses when applying eye makeup.

[0003] In order for a farsighted individual to apply eye makeup in an accurate and aesthetically pleasing manner it is often necessary that such individuals wear their glasses while doing so. Contacts are not necessarily worn during such a process because the farsighted individual may simply not be able to wear them or may not want to risk the painful experience of getting eye makeup in their eye while wearing contacts. While numerous devices are known for use with the application of eye makeup, such as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2002/0124865 A1 submitted by Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,389 B1 issued to Bakken, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,142 issued to Karafilis, such devices are often intended for use only as shields to protect against unwanted smearing or dripping of eye makeup, or only for use with eye mascara, or have straight or short handles. However, many farsighted eye makeup wearers are not able to use such above existing devices, because they either do not fit well behind eyeglasses or provide a guide surface that would be suitable for use by farsighted person.

[0004] The present invention overcomes such difficulties and enables the user to accurately and efficiently apply eye makeup. An eyeglass wearer is able to position the device behind their eyeglasses and onto either their upper or lower eyelid. Once the desired position is obtained, the eyeglasses can be removed and the makeup applied by using the device as a guide to stabilize a makeup applicator such as an eyeliner pencil or mascara brush. In addition, by locating the device between the face of the user and the makeup applicator, the areas above and below the eye are protected against makeup smears or drips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention discloses an eye makeup application device with a handle and ends that conform to human eyelids. Flexible pads attached to the ends of the device provide greater conformity to the user's eyelids. The device may be inserted behind the eyeglasses of a user to enable more precise application of the makeup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1a is a front view of one embodiment of the eye makeup application device;

[0007]FIG. 1b is a side view of the device from the embodiment of FIG. 1a;

[0008]FIG. 2 shows a top and side view of the upper and lower removable flexible pads from the embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1 b;

[0009]FIG. 2a is an enlarged view of a folding connection that may be incorporated in to the handle portion of the device of FIGS. 1a and 1 b;

[0010]FIG. 3a is a profile view of the device in use on the lower eyelid of an eyeglass wearer;

[0011]FIG. 3b is a frontal view of the device in use on the lower eyelid of an eyeglass wearer;

[0012]FIG. 3c is a profile view of the device in use on the upper eyelid of an eyeglass wearer;

[0013]FIG. 3d is a frontal view of the device in use on the upper eyelid of an eyeglass wearer;

[0014]FIGS. 4a and 4 b are front and side views of an alternate embodiment of the device;

[0015]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of a pad of the device of the present invention; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an alternate embodiment of the prongs of the device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] As can be seen in FIGS. 1a and 1 b, one embodiment of the eye makeup application device 11 includes a handle portion 1 and first and second ends 2 and 3, which are connected to opposed ends of handle portion 1 by offset portions 14 and 15. As will be more fully describe below, ends 2 and 3 form eyelid guides and together with offset portions 14 and 15 enable a farsighted person to apply makeup, for example, to their upper and lower eyelids and optionally to their eyelashes, while protecting the surrounding skin from mascara or eyeliner smears.

[0018] Upper end 2 and lower end 3 are configured to conform respectively to the general shape of a human upper eyelid and a human lower eyelid so that when placed over the eyelid and against the edge of the eyelid, the respective end will substantially cover the eyelid while leaving the edge of the eyelid exposed for the application of eyeliner, for example. As best seen in FIG. 1, edge 4 of upper end 2 is radially shaped to generally follow the contour of the edge of the upper eyelid, which is typically more contoured or has a smaller radius of curvature. Similarly, edge 5 of lower end 3 is contoured to generally follow the contour of the edge of the lower eyelid, which is generally less contoured than the upper eyelid and hence has a larger radius of curvature. Additionally, upper end 2 has a larger width relative to lower end 3.

[0019] As noted above, ends 2 and 3 are offset from handle portion 1 by offset portions 14 and 15. Offset portions 14 and 15 comprise web portions that extend generally orthogonal to handle portion 1. In the illustrated embodiment, handle portion 1 is formed from an elongate member, such as an elongate plate, and lies in a vertical plane V (as viewed in FIG. 1b). In this manner, offset portions 14 and 15 offset ends 2 and 3 from plane V of handle portion 1. In the illustrated embodiment, offset portions 14 and 15 offset ends 2 and 3 so that they lie in a common plane; however, it can be appreciated that offset portions 14 and 15 may have different horizontal dimensions (as viewed in FIG. 1b) to align ends 2 and 3 in spaced apart generally parallel planes to accommodate the different gaps that can occur between a user's face and the upper edge of a pair of glasses and between the user's face and the lower edge of the glasses, which is typically smaller. Alternately or in addition, offset portions 14 and 15 may form an acute or obtuse angle with respect to handle portion to tilt ends 2 and 3. In addition, offset portions 14 and 15 may be constructed or made from a material that allows the angle of the offset portion to be adjusted and readjusted as desired by the user of device 11.

[0020] As would be understood, therefore, offset portions 14 and 15 allow the device user to individually position upper end 2 or lower end 3 behind the eyeglasses worn by the user. In addition, the offset portions 14 and 15 provide a moment arm to convert a vertical holding force, applied by the user of the device, into a compressive force or pressure against the eyelid where the makeup is to be applied while retaining a secure grip on handle portion 1.

[0021] As can be seen in FIG. 1b, upper end 2 and lower end 3 are formed by flanges and, further, may be formed as separate flanges 6 and 7, respectively, which are then secured to handle portion 1, for example, by fixed connections, such as by welds, or by releasable connections, such as a snap-fit connections. In the illustrated embodiment, flanges 6 and 7 have a generally arcuate shape with upwardly and downwardly projecting tabs 6 a and 7 a for connecting flanges 6 and 7 to offset portions 14 and 15, respectively. Offset portions 14 and 15 include downwardly and upwardly extending flanges 14 a and 15 a. Flanges 14 a and 15 a for example may project into or receive tabs 6 a and 7 a of flanges 6 and 7 and may be releasably coupled thereto by a detent mechanism. For example, each tab 6 a and 7 a may have formed therein a recess with the wall of the recess having an indentation. Flanges 14 a and 15 a may be sized to fit into the respective recesses of the tabs and further include a projection or the like for engaging the indentation in the recess so as to provide a snap fit connection between flanges 14 a and 15 a and tabs 6 a and 7 a. Similarly, flanges 14 a and 15 a may have a recess formed therein, with tabs 6 a and 7 a sized to fit into the respective recesses of flanges 14 a and 15 a and further include a projection or the like for engaging an indentation formed in the recess of flanges 14 a and 15 a so as to provide a snap fit connection. As would be understood that the projections and indentations may be reversed. It should also be understood that other releasable connections may be used. In this manner, ends 2 and 3 may be removed for replacement or for making device 11 more compact.

[0022] As best understood from FIG. 2, upper and lower ends 2 and 3 preferably include upper and lower flexible pads 9 and 10. Such flexible pads 9, 10 provide a softer and conformable surface for positioning against the user's eyelids, thereby enabling more comfortable and accurate application of the eye makeup. In the illustrated embodiment, pads 9 and 10 are frictionally secured to upper end 2 and lower end 3 respectively. Upper and lower flexible pads 9 and 10 are similarly shaped to conform to the general shape of human upper and lower eyelids, respectively. Therefore, edge 12 of upper flexible pad 9 is more contoured or concave than edge 13 of lower flexible pad 10.

[0023] Although FIGS. 1a, 1 b, and 2 show the upper and lower flexible pads 9, 10 as removable, such pads may be fixedly secured to the upper and lower ends 2, 3 without affecting the functionality of the device. Furthermore, upper and lower pads 9 and 10 may form the ends of the device of the present invention, as will be more fully described below.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1b and 2, a raised support nub 8 is included on both the upper and lower flexible pads 9, 10. Raised support nub 8 protrudes in a direction generally parallel to the direction of the offset provided by offset portions 14 and 15 and in a direction opposite from that of which the handle portion 1 is offset by offset portions 14 and 15. The raised support nub 8 provides a contact location to be placed against either the user's cheekbone when the device is used to apply makeup to the lower eyelid or above the user's eye when the device is used to apply makeup to the upper eyelid. The raised support nub 8 serves to enhance stability and thereby provides more accurate eye makeup application. Alternatively, the raised support nub 8 may be integrated directly to the upper and lower ends 2, 3, with pads 9 and 10 bulging or deflecting at the nub location to create generally the same effect.

[0025]FIGS. 3a, 3 b, 3 c, and 3 d show the device in use by an eyeglass wearer. Offset portion 15 enables lower end 3 to be positioned behind and below the eyeglasses 16 of the user and onto the user's lower eyelid as in FIG. 3a. Offset portion 14 enables upper end 2 to be positioned behind and above the eyeglasses 16 of the user and onto the user's upper eyelid as in FIG. 3c. FIG. 3b shows lower end 3 and lower flexible pad 10 below the user's eye and positioned such that eye makeup may be applied to the lower eyelid using flexible pad 10 as a guide. FIG. 3d shows upper end 2 and upper flexible pad 9 above the user's eye and positioned such that eye makeup may be applied to the upper eyelid using flexible pad 9 as a guide.

[0026]FIGS. 4a and 4 b show an alternative embodiment of the eye makeup application device. In this embodiment upper flexible pad 25 and lower flexible pad 24 are adapted to be retained by upper prongs 23 and lower prongs 22 respectively, which are actuated to release the pads by actuation of knobs 21 b and 21 a, respectively. Therefore, pads 124 and 125 form the ends of the device. For ease of description reference will be made to lower prongs 22 and knob 21 a. When locking mechanism knob 21 a is depressed, lower prongs 22 are released such that lower flexible pad 24 may be slidably removed from the device. The flexible pad may then either be cleaned or replaced. When the clean or new lower flexible pad 24 is slid back into position and the locking mechanism knob 21 a is released lower prongs 22 securely retain lower flexible pad 24 on device 11.

[0027] It is contemplated that device 11 may be formed from a plastic material, with the flexible pads being formed from a softer resilient material, such as a foamed polymer or foamed plastic, similar to the material used in eyelash curlers. However, it should be understood that device 11 may be formed from one or more metal or composite material components.

[0028] In addition, device 11 may be adapted to fold for storage. For example, referring to FIG. 2a, handle portion 1 may include a hinge 35 and a position locking device at its medial portion, such as a detent mechanism, which couples the two halves of the handle portion together and further locks the two handle portions in linear alignment when the two portions are in their operative or linearly aligned position but releases when sufficient pressure is applied, for example, to overcome the friction between the detent mechanism components. For example, lower end of upper half 1 a of handle portion 1 may include a downwardly projecting tab 36 on one side, for example, on the left side as viewed in FIG. 2a. The upper end of the lower half 1 b of handle portion 1 may include an upwardly projecting tab 38, for example on the right side, that mates with downwardly depending tab 36 of upper half la of handle portion 1. On their facing surfaces 36 a, 38 a, projecting tabs 36, 38 may include a detent mechanism 40 so that when the upper and lower halves of handle portion 1 are linearly aligned in their operative position, detent mechanism 40 releasably fixes the alignment of the upper and lower halves 1 a and 1 b of the handle portion. For example, detent mechanism 40 may include a projection 40 a, such as a knob, on tab 36, while tab 38 includes a recess 40 b that cooperates with the projection 40 a to lock the halves of the handle portion in position when aligned in their operative position. As would be understood, detent mechanism 40 requires that the two halves of handle portion 1 be urged into engagement in order for the detent mechanism to function, as will be described below.

[0029] Hinge 35 is formed or provided at or near tabs 36, 38, such as by a pin 42, that extends between tabs 36 and 38. Furthermore, pin 42 extends through tabs 36 and 38 and includes enlarged distal ends 42 a and 42 b to provide a lateral restraint between the two tabs. Optionally, pin 42 may have a spring washer or the like that generates an axial compressive force on the two tabs to generate friction between tabs 36 and 38 so that when aligned the upper and lower halves will remain aligned until a force of sufficient magnitude is applied to the upper half and/or lower half to overcome the friction generated between the detent mechanism components. In this manner, when a sufficient moment is applied to the two halves about the hinge or about the pin, projection 40 a will disengage from recess 40 b but hinge 35 will maintain the connection between two halves so that one of the halves can be pivoted with respect to the other half to thereby fold device 11.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, the numeral 109 refers to another embodiment of the pad of the present invention. Though only one of the pads is illustrated, it should be understood that the same principals may be applied to the second pad. Pad 109 is formed from a soft polymer as noted above, such as a foamed polymer. In addition, pad 109 incorporates a reinforcement member 112, such as a plastic strip, which provides local stiffness to pad 109 and facilitates mounting of pad 109 onto the release mechanism of the device of the present invention. In addition, pad 109 includes internal pockets 114 and 116, which are formed on the opposed ends of pad 109 to receive the respective prongs of the release mechanism, and a central opening 118 through the prongs may be initially inserted to mount pad 109 onto the handle portion of the device.

[0031] As best seen in FIG. 6, release mechanism 120 includes a generally V-shaped member mounted to the end of the handle portion of the device of the present invention. The V-shaped member is preferably formed from a metal material and, most preferable, from a metal material that exhibits spring properties or characteristics, for example spring steel. Each arm 122 and 124 includes a protecting tang or prong 122 a and 124 a for inserting into the respective pockets of pad 109. Arms 122 and 124 are compressible so that when substantially fully compressed, prongs 122 a and 124 a are moved inwardly so that they are either overlapping or adjacent so that they can be inserted into pad 109 through central opening 118. Once inserted, arms 122 and 124 may be released in which case prongs 122 a and 124 a will separate and extend laterally and, further, will insert into pockets 114 and 116 to thereby releasably couple pad 109 to the handle portion of the device. To release and remove pad 109 from the device, arms 122 and 124 may be again compressed, which will withdraw the prongs from pockets 114 and 116 so that they can be retracted or extracted from pad 109 through central opening 118.

[0032] While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that other changes and modification can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims that follow. For example, the device of the present invention may be assembled with only one eyelid guide. These and other variations may be made. 

I claim:
 1. A device used to assist an eyeglass wearer in the application of eye makeup comprising: a body member with an end; an offset portion; a handle portion; and wherein said offset portion connects said end to said handle portion, and wherein said offset portion is sized to enable insertion of said end behind eyeglasses, and wherein said end includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human eyelid.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said end comprises an upper end, and a lower end opposite said upper end.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein both said upper end and said lower end are linearly offset from said handle portion.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said upper end includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human upper eyelid, and wherein said lower end includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human lower eyelid.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein said upper end and said lower end are formed as separate members, and wherein said upper end and said lower end are fixedly attached to said body member.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said end includes at least one raised support nub to stabilize said end when placed against the user's face, wherein said at least one raised support nub is located below said radially shaped distal edge, and wherein said at least one raised support nub protrudes opposite the direction that said handle portion is offset from said end.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said at least one raised support nub extends substantially the entire width of said end.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said end is adapted to receive a flexible pad, wherein said flexible pad includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human eyelid.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said flexible pad is removable and replaceable.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said flexible pad is frictionally secured to said end.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein said flexible pad includes at least one raised support nub to stabilize said end when placed against the user's face, wherein said at least one raised support nub is located below said radially shaped distal edge, and wherein said at least one raised support nub protrudes opposite the direction that said handle portion is offset from said end.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said at least one raised support nub extends substantially the entire width of said end.
 13. A device used to assist in the application of eye makeup comprising: a body member with an end; a handle portion; a removable flexible pad; a locking means for retaining said removable flexible pad to said end; and a lock release means for releasing said removable flexible pad from said end; wherein said end includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human eyelid.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein said end is linearly offset from said handle portion to enable insertion of said end behind eyeglasses.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein said end comprises an upper end, and a lower end opposite said upper end.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein both said upper end and said lower end are linearly offset from said handle portion.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said upper end includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human upper eyelid, and wherein said lower end includes a radially shaped distal edge that generally conforms to a human lower eyelid.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein said upper end and said lower end are formed as separate members, and wherein said upper end and said lower end are fixedly attached to said body member.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein said end includes at least one raised support nub to stabilize said end when placed against the user's face, wherein said at least one raised support nub is located below said radially shaped distal edge.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein said at least one raised support nub extends substantially the entire width of said end. 